It's been a LONG time !!!

Salam Alaikom everybody,

I have been away for a while, but I am working on a big surprise for "UAE Caravan" lovers and followers.

I hope you will all like it once it's ready.

May Allah bless us all,

Sarah

Ramadan Iftar

Salam Alaikom all...Hope everyone is enjoying Ramadan atmosphere! It's beautiful, isn't it?


Did you ever wonder how do we (Muslims) fast during the Holy month of Ramadan?
I'll tell you how in case you still don't know.

First of all, it is worth mentioning that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

Muslims break their fast at Maghrib (sunset) prayer time with a meal named "Iftar".

When we hear the Maghrib prayer we usually say a prayer first (Dua'a) then break our fast by drinking a glass of Laban (Yoghurt based drink) and dates.

After that, we perform Maghrib prayer then go back to eat the Iftar meal, whick contains a number of delicious dishes.

The amazing thing about Ramadan is that the whole family (Grandparents, Parents, Children, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.) gather and enjoy the holy time together. What is more amazing than having Iftar with the whole family?

Ramadan is a time that brings family members together and closer than any other time.

Personally I enjoy cooking with my cousins and relatives. Each one of us decides what is she going to cook for Iftar. One says she'll cook the main dish, the other chooses the sweets and we help each other in every thing.

Not only women share these moments, but also men. For example, we always ask my elder brother to go and buy what we need in the kitchen, while my uncle helps us in exchanging dishes with neighbours and friends. It is such an amazing thing.

One of the most DELICIOUS, FAMOUS and BASIC dishes in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region is "Harees". It is nearly a "must" during the Holy month of Ramadan.

One other amazing dish that I love so much is "Thareed", which is a mixture of very delicate home made bread, which is named "Khobz Regag" with a mix of vegetables and meat or chicken broth.

"Lugaymat" is another dish that is essential during Ramadan. It is part of the sweets or desserts. It tastes really good especially if you eat it while drinking Arabian Coffee.



After praying and eating, a cup of Arabian coffee or tea would be perfect. You just sit, relax and enjoy drinking it.

Normally, two or more "Dallah (s)" of coffee and tea are prepared before or right after Iftar.

You can also indulge yourself with fruits, sweets or many kinds of different fruits. But put in mind that we don't eat much in order to maintain our health. Eating a little bit of everything is
a very good and healthy thing to do.

We should always remember that fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality. It is time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah and to offer more prayer.

I will post more information about the Holy month of Ramadan, but please do ask me if you have any questions or would like to know more about a particular issue.

Ramadan Kareem!

UAE Caravan wishes you all a happy Ramadan!

Regards,

Sarah Al Hanki

Summer in the UAE (Part 2)

Hello everyone,

Today I'll continue giving you options or suggestions on how to spend summer in the UAE, although it is burning hot!

Heat is not a problem anymore, thanks to air conditioners. And because the summer in the UAE makes it almost impossible for anyone to do any activities outdoors, so many indoor activities and places have been established, such as, shopping malls, exhibition centres where many events are being organized, museums, etc.

If you are a fan of Arts, History, Arabic Calligraphy and Heritage, then the Emirate of Sharjah is "a must visit" for you. It has a number of amazing museums, such as, Al Mahatta Museum, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Art Museum, Bait Al Nahbooda, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum and much much more.

Also, if you have kids, want them to get some knowledge then have some fun, after touring any of the fabulous museums, you can take them to Sharjah Aquarium or Sharjah Discovery Centre, which is the perfect place for both adults and kids, because you can get the chance of learning and entertaining at the same time.

To read more about museums in Sharjah or get more information, please visit http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/

The whole family can also enjoy exploring Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, which is located in Al Ain city, UAE.

You can camp there too! there, you can experience and learn about wildlife and conservation in a unique natural desert setting.

for more information, please visit: http://www.awpr.ae/

Other suggestions:

1- Have fun in one of the Paintball parks all over the UAE (http://www.paintballuae.com/)

2- Dive in the Arabian Gulf, basikly in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (http://www.arabiandiver.com/)

3- Enjoy a desert safari and SKIING on the golden dunes! (http://www.desertsafaridubai.com/)

There is much much more to do in the UAE during Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring. So, don't miss the fun!

Summer in the UAE (Part 1)

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

Many of you (especially foreigners) might wonder, how am I going to spend summer time in the UAE? What if, for any reason, you can't travel and runaway from the heat?!

Will you still be able to enjoy the summer and sun

in the UAE?! The answer is definately YES!!!

The good news is that people can enjoy their

summertime without having to travel to a cooler

country. Many activities and events have been

organized all over the UAE to keep its people

(with different ages) entertained and give them

the chance to enjoy every day of their summer vacation.

One of the great events that is organized in the Capital, Abu Dhabi is "Summer in Abu Dhabi Festival" that is being held in Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, as well as Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain Mall and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain.

This great event is a family carnival where once in a lifetime experiences happen every day!

It has a wide array of activities to appeal to all age groups and interests.

For more information, please visit http://www.summerinabudhabi.com/

One of the events included in this friendly event is the "Big Apple Circus" that I am dying to attend (Maybe this coming weekend).

It's a 90 minutes show that will start on the 23rd of July and will last until the 3rd of August. It should be so much fun!

Also, if you would like to explore the city but be PROTECTED from the heat of the sun or the high humidity, you can take a hop on hop off tour by the air conditioned Big Bus and enjoy viewing the city and its famous spots and amzaing places.

Having FUN can not only be achieved in Abu Dhabi, but also in Dubai. You and your family or friends can enjoy the "Dubai Summer Surprises" Festival that also includes a wide number of activities for all of the family members.

You can go shopping in one of the many malls in the city, such as, the Mall of the Emirates, have a delicious meal in one of the restaurants there, and enjoy some of the shows that take place in the mall most of the times during the festival.

Also, you can spend some time SKIING in Ski Dubai! isn't that a good idea where you can experience Summer and Winter in the very same time?!!!

For more information, please visit http://www.skidxb.com/

If you have kids and you don't know where to take them, consider the following:

1- Dubai Dolphinarium ( http://dubaidolphinarium.ae/ )

2- Dubai Modhesh World ( www.modheshworld.com/en/ )

And if you are a group of adults who want to have great great time, you should spend a day in Wild Wadi Dubai. It is a MUST VISIT water park.

They have a SPECIAL LADIES NIGHTS too ^_^ so women who cannot swim, wear swimming suits or uncover their heads in front of men can have fun too. My sisters, relatives and I usually go there during weekends and we really have so much fun.

To be continued...

Foreigners in Traditional Costumes!

Salam All!

I hope you are all doing GREAT ^_^

I have received an e-mail from a lady asking me this question on behalf of her friends:

Hi Sarah,

Some foreigners love Emirati clothes and want to wear it, but they are shy and think that maybe this will offend Emiratis.

Do Emiratis consider it disrespectful to their culture if foreign men and women want to wear abayas or shailas, kanduras, ghutras, eqals or even niqab or burqa?

Here is the answer to the question from my point of view:

First of all, it is our pleasure as Emiratis to know that foreigners love our clothes and would like to wear it. And personally I don't think that it will or may offend us as locals unless a foreigner disrespected our traditional costumes.

I don't think any Emirati will or might get offended by seeing a foreigner wearing the traditional UAE costumes wether it was a man or a woman. On the contrary, we respect who respect us, our traditions and costumes and we are a very friendly and welcoming nation.

Some of us might get offended IF a person uses the UAE traditional costume in a wrong way and ON PURPOSE. For example, wearing the Abaya above DISRESPECTFUL clothes just to attract men "as many women do" or to make fun of Arab culture or traditions.

Last week, I was shopping in Dubai, and while I was inside one of the shops a foreign couples entered the shop. The lady was wearing a short skirt and a lovely shirt, and the man was wearing a Kandura (Dishdasha), Ghutra and eqal! at first I was surprised because he was very confident and acted as if he was a real local, but his blue eyes and his yellow hair that I could see from under the ghutra made me know for sure that he is a foreigner who loves our traditional kandura.

I smiled to him, he smiled back and I felt that he was so happy that I liked what I saw.

So, everybody feel free to wear our costumes but make sure to respect it, and I am sure you will.

Prohibition of Selling Dogs in Islam

Good morning everybody,

I am sorry for not publishing this post last night, but I had to do some research about the prohibition of selling dogs in Islam before publishing the post.

In my religion, it is undesirable to keep dogs, and that the one who keeps a dog will have two kirats deducted from his reward every day, except for dogs that are kept for hunting, guarding livestock and guarding crops, which are permissible to keep.

There are many "ahaadeeth" narrated from our Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), which state that it is forbidden in Islam to sell dogs BECAUSE THEY ARE ENTIRELY IMPURE (NAJIS). The general meaning of these "Ahaadeeth" include all kinds of dogs, those which are permissible to keep and those which are not permissible to keep.

The transaction of selling a dog is not valid and the price is not "Halal".

What did some of the Muslim Scholars Say:

-Some said that the sale of dogs which bring some benefit is permissible.

-Others said that it is permissible to sell a hunting dog but not any other kind.

- The majority said that it is not permissible to sell a dog at all wether it is a hunting dog or a herding dog or any other kind. If a person is in a desperate need to have a dog and cannot find someone to give him one, then he may buy it.

As a conclusion, it should be mentioned that Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) forbade the price of a dog, the wages of a prostitute, and the fee of a fortuneteller.

I hope the post is useful and please do not hesitate to ask me any question regarding this topic or any other topics that are related to my religion or to my country, the United Arab Emirates.

Puppies in need for new homes!

Salam everybody,

My Aunt has six beautiful cute little puppies (2 females and four males) that are in a desperate need for new loving homes.

They are very friendly, very beautiful and are two months old. They will ONLY be given to serious dog lovers.

My aunt is not asking for any fees or money. She just wants someone to take good care of the little puppies. The reason for not asking for any money is that we "Muslims" can not sell dogs. It is forbidden or "Haram" in Islam.

For more details, please contact my aunt on: 050-5668830

P.S: I will explain why "selling dogs" is haram in Islam in a new post. So if you would like to know or read more about it, check my blog in a couple of hours because I am in a hurry now.

Thank you very much.

Fabulous Paintings from Your Photos!

Good afternoon everybody,

How is everyone? hope you are all doing great!

Today I've got a great offer for all of you and I hope you like it.

Why don't you let me turn your photo into a 100% handmade painting and add a traditional UAE touch on it?! Like change your costume into an Emirati dress "Jalabiya" or instead of having green mountains on your background, I'll change it into golden dunes, sunset in the desert or Abu Dhabi's adorable corniche for instance!

Once you receive your painting you'll be proud to hang it on the wall or make it a unique gift for your loved ones!

Don't hesitate and give your eyes the chance to see my magic. Believe me you'll be amazed!

Your child or relative can also have his/her photo painted with a beautiful Emarati touch!

If you are interested, please send me an e-mail: sarah.alhanki@yahoo.com

* * * P.S: The first 3 photos will receive a gift from UAE Caravan! So don't miss it!

A new morning scented with Arabic Coffee

Good morning (Sabah Al Kheir in Arabic)

Every morning at work, the office boy offer us Arabic Coffee (Qahwa). And, one of my colleagues is a gentleman from Pakistan, asked me today to write for him the recipe of Arabic Coffee since he fell in love with it, and his wife would like to prepare it at home.

Therefore, I will post the recipe here in my blog, so not only my colleague and his wife could try it and enjoy drinking it, but also you all can do so.

First of All, you need the following ingredients:

3 eight ounce glasses of water
1 teaspoon of rose water
3/4 cup of lightly roasted and ground coffee
1/4 cup of coarsely ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon saffron
*Arab cup coffee - Approximately 2 ounces

Arabic Coffee Recipe:

1. Boil the water in a pan

2. Add the coffee and let boil over low heat for half an hour

3. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the coffee to settle
4. Put the cardamom, saffron and rose water in a coffee pot, and strain the coffee into it

5. serve and enjoy

P.S: Arabic coffee (Qahwa) is a symbol of hospitality and honor. In the Arab Gulf countries and many other Arab countries, the ritual of serving coffee is a sign that a guest is welcomed and honored by his post.

Qahwa is NEVER drunk with milk or sugar. However, they serve it with dates (Tamr), fruits and sweet things.

Rules and Etiquette of serving Arabic Coffee:

Rules of etiquette when serving the Qahwa require the host or hostess to personally hand each small cup (Finjan) to the guest with the right hand, after pouring the coffee from the pot (Dallah) with the left hand.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Death in Islam

Salam all,

My post today might be sad and heart aching, but it is part of life. It is about death and how we deal with it in the UAE and most of the Arab and Islamic countries.
On Saturday, I went to the funeral of my friend’s uncle who died in the early morning of last Friday (June the 4th, 2010). May his soul rest in peace, Amen. And, I would like all of you to have an idea about death and everything related to it in Islam.

Death is simply a transition state from one world to another, as birth is. No one knows when and where he will die or knows how.

Islam explains death in full detail, how it happens, and what Muslims should do before, during, and after the death of a Muslim. So let’s take it step by step:

A) WHEN A MUSLIM IS AT THE POINT OF DEATH



Family members of the dying person and his most pious friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent, remind him about all the good deeds that he did, about Allah’s mercy, and Allah’s forgiveness so that he may anticipate Allah’s mercy and Allah’s favors.

Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the following :
• They should be kind and patient.
• They should never leave him alone.
• They should give him hope, not allowing him to collapse out of pain or panic.
• They should prompt him very gently (Encouragement without insistence) every now and then to say the Shahada: "La ilaha ella Allah", which means ‘There is no God but Allah,’ in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be his last words.
• They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to help him go through situation easy, and forgive him.

B) JUST AFTER DEATH HAS BEEN DETERMINED

When the person is confirmed dead, family members or those who are present should :
• Close the eyes of the deceased.
• They should bind his lower jaw to his head so that it does not sag.
• They should cover all his body completely with a clean sheet.
• They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to forgive him.
• They should hasten to prepare the body for washing, shrouding and burial.
• They should pay his debts from his money, or if there is not enough, then from any family member or any relative, this matter is important since the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) encouraged Muslims to pay the debts of the deceased.

C) MOURNING THE DEAD



Mourning over the dead is allowed in Islam. Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and weeping for the dead is allowed in Islam. What is prohibited is to express grief by wailing ( Bewailing refers to mourning in a loud voice), shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking things or scratching faces or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith.

All of this is totally prohibited, and the deceased may feel pain by these actions, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "The deceased suffers when someone bewails loudly".
Some people let their beard grow to show their sadness, then after several days they shave it. Others wear black clothes, or black ties. All of this has no basis in Islam.

It is a Muslim’s duty to advise gently those who do these things to stop doing so, since it is totally prohibited. No loss, however great, should lead a Muslim to sour his faith. They should however bear patiently and accept Allah’s destiny.
Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days.

This is due to Hadith (1) of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except her husband four months and ten days ". This period is called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the Quran.

D) AL-GHUSUL ( WASHING THE DEAD MUSLIM )

When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Two or three persons may perform the washing.

The person(s) who may wash the deceased should :
• Be a trustworthy, and honest adult Muslim(s).
• Know the Islamic way of washing the dead and be able to carry out the washing.
• Not make any comment on the body of the deceased.

NOTE:
• If the deceased is a male, then ONLY males should wash him.
• If the deceased is a female, then ONLY females should wash her.
• For a married person, the spouse may perform the washing.
• For a child, either males or females may do the washing.

PLACE OF WASHING :

The deceased’s body should be washed in a clean, secluded, and private place where clean water and soap are available. Gloves or pieces of cloth are needed.

The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves, or camphor (To be used in the final wash).



The washing should be done three or five, or any more odd number of times if necessary.

STEPS OF WASHING :

The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or alike, the deceased’s clothes should be removed, and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.



The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to insure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body.



The Awra (Private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a piece of cloth. (I have explained in a previous post what “Awra” is for males and females.).

The washer should start washing by saying:" Bismil - lah " which means " In the name of Allah".

The washer winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of this piece.

The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as so to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose this piece of cloth.

The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand (May use gloves), and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of this piece of cloth.

The washer should perform Wudu ( Ablution (2) ) on the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth.

The washer should clean the body with water and soap (If available), starting from the head (hair, face and beard {Men}), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left.

In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back.

The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones.

In the last wash, the washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water. After that the body should be dried with clean towel. Then the body should be totally covered with a white sheet. Get ready to start the shrouding.

SPECIAL NOTE : In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body.

NOTE:
• It is recommended that those who performed the washing should take a bath.
• It is recommended that those who performed the washing should make Wudu (Ablution).
• There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during the Ghusul.
• There is no Islamic teaching of making special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) during the Ghusul.

E) AL-KAFAN ( SHROUDING THE DEAD MUSLIM )



Shrouding should start Just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud).

* * * THE KAFAN OF A MALE

The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about {7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long.

The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used.

STEPS OF SHROUDING :

1. The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other .
2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets.
3. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
4. If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).
5. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way.
6. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

* * * THE KAFAN OF A FEMALE

The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheets, a long loose sleeveless shirt {From shoulder to feet}, a waist wrapper, and a head veil), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long.

STEPS OF SHROUDING :

1. The garments are spread out ( First: winding sheets {7 x 7 feet}, Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt {3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head}, Third: waist wrapper {6 feet x 3 1/2 feet }, Fourth head veil {a 4x4 square feet white sheet}, and Fifth: the loin cloth {12 inches wide x 4 feet long} ).
2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud.
3. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
4. The loin cloth is bound round her upper legs (Acts like underwear).
5. The waist wrapper is tied in place.
6. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet) .
7. Put the head veil.
8. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).
9. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way.
10. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

F) SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL PRAYER)

A divine service is held over the dead body of every Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes. When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him the last farewell.

It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken quickly, prayed for, and then buried.
Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap them all in Allah’s Mercy.

Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not the deceased or his relatives are known to him.
Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer (3) and Tassleem (4). All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara (5) , Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah (6).
There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both the deceased and those who make the Salat (prayer) according to the following Hadith:

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain".

There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body.

This is due to the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who forbade us to pray, or bury our dead during these specified times:

• From sunrise until the sun is fully risen,
• At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until it passes the meridian,
• From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set.

STEPS OF SALATUL JANAZAH

All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah.

Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or the deceased’s father.

If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should stand behind the Imam.

The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person who leads the prayer.

In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s), then the Imam. For example : If there are : a dead Muslim male, a female, a young girl, and a young boy, then behind the Qiblah, first place the body of the young girl, then the adult female, then the young boy, then the adult male, so the bodies are arranged in a way that females’ bodies are first, then the males.

There are NO Rukuh (7), Sujud (8), Athan (9), or Eqama (10).
Having the appropriate neeyah (Intention), raise your hands in the usual manner and say : " Alla-hu Akbar " which means “Allah is the Greatest”.
Fold your right hand over the left hand in the usual manner.
Recite the Fatiha silently.
Then say : "Alla-hu Akbar".
Then recite the Tashahood.
The Tashahood is :- ( Allahumma sallee ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, wa barik ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, Fil alameen innaka hamidun Majeed).
This means : " O Allah! Grant peace to Muhammad and his family as you did to Ibrahim and his family. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his family as you blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly you are Most Glorious and Most Praiseworthy".
Then say : " Alla-hu Akbar ".
Then make dua’ (Supplicate) for the deceased.
Then say: " Alla-hu Akbar ".
Then make dua (Supplicate) for all dead Muslims.
In the case of a dead baby or young child, make dua (Supplicate) for his parents.
Then say : " Assalamu alykum ", like you say in other Salats. Tasleem could be said only once.

NOTE:
• Salatul Janazah for the one who died far away is allowed.
• There is no Islamic teaching of putting the picture of the deceased or some of his clothes or flowers in front of or around the Kafan ( Shroud).
• To use a coffin (Box) is not allowed, unless there is necessity to use it, such as the body of the deceased is damaged, or for health reasons, or when the grave is wet and cannot be dried.

F) FOLLOWING THE JANAZAH

After Salatul Janazah, the deceased should be transferred to the Muslim cemetery.
It is recommended for those following the Janazah on foot to keep behind or either on the right or on the left of those who are carrying the body.
They should walk calmly, quietly, and not crowd or push others who are carrying the deceased.

Following the Janazah with incense or candles, mentioning Allah’s name loudly, weeping loudly or reading Quran, playing music, or carrying the body of the deceased on a military car, all are not allowed when escorting the body of the deceased.

G) AL-DAFIN ( BURIAL )



Islam has a unique style of building graves and cemeteries that is characterized by simplicity and economy in costs and that avoids glorifying the dead with elaborate monuments.

It is of great importance that a special cemetery be devoted exclusively for the use of Muslims. Muslims may not be buried in the cemeteries of non-Muslims, nor can non-Muslims be buried in a Muslim cemetery.

The deceased should be buried in the locality in which he lived. It is undesirable to take the body to the person’s own country or to another city.
In Muslim cemeteries, there are two types of graves :
Al-Shaqq : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground.
Al-Lahed : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground, then in the bottom make a side horizontal hole big enough to cover the whole body.
Both types are used, but it is preferable to use Al-Lahed if the land is solid.
The burial should be done as soon as possible after death, but the following times should be avoided :

• At night
• From sunrise until the sun is fully risen.
• At the zenith of the sun (The sun at the meridian), until it passes the meridian.
• When the sun pales before sunset until it has set.

During these times burying is prohibited unless there is an urgent necessity.
The grave should be always perpendicular ( Horizontal) to the direction of Qiblah. Only men are allowed to attend the burial.

All Muslims who are present should remember death, the hereafter, and that one day he too will be buried. They should keep quiet (No talking unless it is necessary).The deceased’s male relatives are expected to put the body in the grave, putting the body in the grave should be carried out only by Muslim men. A female is placed in her grave either by her husband, her sons, her father, her brothers, or her uncle.

The deceased’s body should be entered to the grave from the direction where his feet will be (From the rear of the grave).

How to enter the body into the grave?

• Those who enter the body of the deceased in the grave should say : (Bismil llah wa ala millati rasulil llah), which means : " In the name of Allah and in the faith of the Messenger of Allah ".
• The deceased’s body should rest on his right side, and should be close to the wall and supported so that the body will not fall back, the deceased’s face should be towards the Qiblah.
• Those who put the deceased in the grave should not have had sexual intercourse with their wives the night before.
• They should undo the tie on the head and the feet.
• They should put above the body a layer of wood or big stones, so that earth will not be put directly on the body when they fill the grave with earth.
• After the body is totally covered, it is desirable to throw three handfuls of soil into the grave.
• Then the grave should be filled up with sand .
• It is allowable to put a mark on the grave or a stone to know the grave.
Just after the burial all Muslims, including the deceased’s relatives, may stay in the cemetery for a while and make dua’ ( Supplicate ) for the deceased, since he is being questioned by the Angels.

NOTE:

• There is no Islamic teaching of transferring the deceased to another country.
• There is no Islamic teaching of revealing the face of the deceased after putting the body in the grave.
• There is no Islamic teaching of shouting with special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) before, during, and after burial.
• There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran in the cemetery.
• There is no Islamic teaching of putting flowers, food, water, or money around the grave that will benefit the deceased.
• There is no Islamic teaching of putting anything in, on or around the grave that will benefit the deceased.
• There is no Islamic teaching of slaughtering an animal during or after burial.
• There is no Islamic teaching of staying in a state of sadness for one year .
• There is no Islamic teaching that the relatives of the deceased should wear black clothes.
• There is no Islamic teaching that planting flowers on, or around the grave will benefit the deceased.

* IMPORTANT RULES IN THE CEMETERY

• It is prohibited to step over, lean, or sit on a grave.
• It is prohibited to build any form of construction on the grave, or decorate the grave.
• It is prohibited to plaster the grave, whitewash the grave, or use cooked stones.
• It is prohibited to pray facing towards the graves.
• Women are forbidden from attending the burial.
• It is prohibited to slaughter animals around the grave.
• It is prohibited to cremate the body of dead Muslim, even if the deceased requested it before his death.
• It is prohibited to put candles on the grave.
• It is also disliked (Makruh) to pray in the cemetery.
• Performing autopsy on a dead Muslim is totally prohibited, unless it is requested by court order.

H) SPECIAL CASES

1) Miscarried Fetus:

If the fetus is less than four months old ( Mother was pregnant for less than four months ), then the fetus may not be washed; the fetus should be wrapped in a piece of white cloth and buried. Then there is no Salatul Janazah for this fetus.
If the fetus is more than four months old ( Mother was pregnant for more than four months ), then the fetus may be washed, shrouded (Using one or two winding sheets to cover the whole body), and then Muslims have the choice whether to perform Salatul Janazah or not.

2) Children :

A) Before reaching the age of puberty, a child may be washed by males or females. Shrouding a child for females use a shirt and two winding sheets and for males two or three winding sheets may be used.
B) For those children who reached the age of puberty, they should be dealt with as an adult { Female child like female adult, and male child like male adult}, but then Salatul Janazah be performed.

3) Martyr :

The body of a Martyr should not be washed, nor be shrouded but buried with the same clothes that people found him with.
The strongest opinion of Muslim scholars is not to offer Salatul Janazah for martyrs since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) did not offer it for the martyrs of the battle of Uhud (11).

I) CONDOLENCES

It is a Muslim’s duty to offer condolences, comfort, and sympathy to the family and the relatives of the deceased. This strengthens the relationships within the Muslim community.

When offering condolences, words should be chosen carefully and said gently to convey sympathy and to encourage the family and the relatives of the deceased to accept Allah’s will and to help them to get back to their normal life.

Condolences may be offered to the family and to the relatives of the deceased before, during or after burial for up to three days, but it may be offered even at later time if someone did not hear about it or he was far away.

It is recommended to leave after offering condolences to give the family time to take care of their other affairs, assistance may be offered for anything the family may need, and one may stay to help.

In the UAE and many Muslim countries, the family of the deceased do not cook or do anything at home. Their neighbors and other family members do everything for them all day long. They cook food in their houses and bring it to the house of the deceased’s family to offer it for people offering condolences, they bring fruits, Arabic Coffee, water, etc. People in the UAE are one big family and they become even closer in hard times.

It is Sunnah (12) that friends, neighbors and relatives prepare food for the family of the deceased, for the loss of the loved one occupies the family’s whole attention.
Families of the deceased in the UAE and Muslim countries hold gatherings for three days or more, and sometimes hire people to recite Quran loudly.
Usually Males gather in a separate living room or many times (in the UAE) the family of the deceased have a very big tent built beside their house for men to gather in, while females gather inside the house.

J) THE EDDA (WAITING PERIOD) OF MUSLIM WIDOWS (FEMALES)



Upon hearing the news of the death of her husband, a Muslim wife should be steadfast and patient. She should accept all that Allah plans for her and her family with sincerity and patience.

It is prohibited to express grief by wailing, shrieking, beating the chest or cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith.
She may cry, as the Prophet did when his son died. He said :" The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord".
Allah in the Quran prescribed the Edda (Waiting period) for those wives whose husbands die : " And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (The wives) shall wait for four months and ten days "(Quran 2:234).

Edda is prescribed for widows in order to mourn the death of their husbands, observe their memory, fulfill any obligations toward them, and to see if the widow is pregnant or not.

A woman should not mourn for any deceased person for more than three days, except in the case of her husband’s death, which she may mourn for a period of four months and ten days. Such a woman in mourning is not to wear any fancy, bright clothes, but only plain clothes, not use any adornment or make-up, nor use perfume, nor die her hands or feet with Henna .

If the widow is pregnant, then her waiting period ends when she delivers her baby, according to Allah’s command in the Quran.
So a widow during the Edda should :

• Stay in her home, and only leave when it is necessary.
• Sleep in her home.
• Not wear fancy, bright clothes.
• Not wear jewelry.
• Not use makeup including eyeliners (kohol).
• Not use perfume.

THIS TIME IS NOT TO DEPRIVE HERSELF FROM LAWFUL THINGS, OR TO SUFFER MORE THAN A HUMAN COULD BEAR. IT IS TIME TO REMEMBER ALL THE MEMORIES OF HER HUSBAND, MAKE DUA’ FOR HIM, THINK ABOUT HERSELF, AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

K) REWARDS AFTER DEATH



While the life span of a Muslim is short, and deeds and actions stop after death, a Muslim may continue to earn rewards for certain things even after his death.
Good deeds, such as perpetual charity, are the ones that follow him a Muslim (Get the rewards), even while the person is in the grave, such deeds like: useful knowledge, a good child that prays for him, a Mosque that he built, teaching Quran to another person, a house he built for public use, a water fountain or a river that he rented and made it free for people, or a charity that he gave during his life while he was in good health; all are rewardable even after death.
So, there are generally three things that benefit the dead:

1) Charity; Continuous Charity ;
2) A knowledge left by the deceased from which some benefit may be obtained;
3) A virtuous son or daughter who makes Dua’ (Pray, supplicate) on the deceased’s behalf, or perform duties that the deceased did not do during his lifetime such as fasting missed days or Hajj, or pay his debts.

People put flowers, candles, food, perfume, on the grave all of this will not benefit the deceased.

L) VISITING THE CEMETERY

In the beginning of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) advised Muslim males not to visit the cemeteries, but after that he the Prophet(P.B.U.H.) gave them the permission to visit the cemetery to remind them of the hereafter.

Most scholars say it is Makrouh ( Hated action ), while other scholars say it is permissible for Muslim females to visit the cemetery provided that the visit is not frequent and it is for the sole purpose of remembering death and hereafter.

When Muslim females visit the cemetery, they should wear proper clothes, no make-up or perfume, they should not cry loudly or say words of discontent or behave unislamically .

The purpose of visiting the cemetery is to remember the fact that everyone is going to die and that we must prepare for the day of judgment.
Visiting the cemetery benefits the dead too, since the visitors will make dua’ (supplicate) for the dead to forgive his sins and have mercy on him.
I know it is a topic that makes the heart beats faster but as I said it is part of life and we can not ignore it. We are all visitors in this world and I wish all of our last homes are in heaven.

Vocabulary:

1- Hadith: or (Ahaadeeth –plural-) are narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
2- Ablution or Wudu: is the Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water. Muslims are required to be clean in preparation for ritual prayers.
3- Takbeer: is the Arabic name for the phrase Allāhu Akbar (الله أكبر). Usually translated "God is [the] greatest," or "God is Great", it is a common Islamic Arabic expression, used as both an informal expression of faith and as a formal declaration.
4- Tasleem: is said to conclude the salah.

You say: Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy
(In Arabic: Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah)
-Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the right-.
السلامُ عليكُم ورحمةُ الله

then you say it again: Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy
(In Arabic: Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah)
-Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the left-.

5- Tahara: The act of being clean, pure and performing the Wudu(Ablution)
6- Qibla: the direction of the “Kaaba” in Mecca toward which Muslims turn for their daily prayers
7- Rukuh: Rukuh is the bowing part of salaah (Muslims Prayer).



8- Sujud: the position in salaah in which the person prostrates on the ground with his hands, knees, feet, and face touching the ground.



9- Athan: is the Islamic call to prayer
10- Eqama: It is the second call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins
11- Battle of Uhud: Please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Uhud
12- Sunnah: is an Arabic word that means habit or usual practice. The Muslim usage of this term refers to the sayings and living habits of Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam.